Coconut Oil Chocolate Cake Recipe Vegan and Delicious

Updated On: October 8, 2025

Welcome to the delightful world of vegan baking! If you’ve been searching for a rich, moist, and utterly delicious chocolate cake that’s entirely plant-based, you’re in the right place.

This coconut oil chocolate cake recipe vegan is a perfect way to indulge your sweet tooth without compromising on your dietary choices. The use of coconut oil not only adds a subtle tropical aroma but also contributes to the cake’s moist, tender crumb.

Beyond being vegan, this cake is simple to make, uses pantry staples, and yields a decadent dessert that everyone will love—whether vegan or not.

Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, a casual family gathering, or just because you deserve a treat, this recipe is a winner. Plus, it’s an excellent introduction to vegan baking with familiar ingredients and straightforward steps.

Let’s dive in and create a chocolate cake that’s as luscious as it is kind to animals and the planet!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vegan chocolate cake stands out for several reasons. First, the use of coconut oil gives it a unique richness and moist texture that rivals traditional butter-based cakes.

It’s also naturally dairy-free and egg-free, making it suitable for vegans and those with common allergies.

The recipe is incredibly easy to follow, with simple ingredients you likely already have at home. You’ll love how quickly it comes together, and the result is a tender, fluffy cake loaded with deep chocolate flavor.

Plus, it pairs beautifully with vegan frostings or fresh fruit for a customizable dessert experience.

Lastly, this cake holds well and tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for prepping ahead or serving at parties. For more wholesome recipes, don’t miss our Thelma Sanders Squash Recipe and Peda Recipe Ricotta Cheese.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat pastry flour for a healthier twist)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (or coconut sugar for a lower glycemic option)
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-processed for a richer taste)
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any plant-based milk of choice)
  • ⅓ cup virgin coconut oil, melted
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (helps to activate the baking soda for fluffiness)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup boiling water

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls (at least two)
  • Whisk or electric mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • 8-inch round cake pans (two) or one 9×13-inch pan
  • Spatula
  • Cooling rack
  • Oven

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your cake pans with coconut oil or line them with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Sifting ensures there are no lumps and helps the dry ingredients blend well.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine the almond milk, melted coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract. Stir well to mix all the wet ingredients thoroughly.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined. Avoid over-mixing here to keep your cake tender.
  5. Carefully add the boiling water to the batter. Stir slowly until the water is fully incorporated. The batter will be thin — this is normal and key to a moist cake.
  6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Tap the pans gently on the counter to release any large air bubbles.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. Use a toothpick inserted into the center to check doneness; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting or serving.

Tips & Variations

For an extra moist cake, avoid overbaking and keep an eye on the toothpick test.

Try swapping almond milk with oat, soy, or coconut milk based on your preference and availability.

Want a gluten-free option? Use a gluten-free flour blend, but check that it contains xanthan gum for the best texture.

If you like your cake with a twist, try adding ½ cup of dairy-free chocolate chips or a teaspoon of espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor. For frosting, a simple vegan chocolate ganache made with coconut cream and dark chocolate or a classic vegan buttercream works beautifully.

For more chocolate dessert inspiration, check out our Peanut Butter Ganache Recipe and Paula Deen Red Velvet Cupcake Recipe.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Amount per Slice (1/12th)
Calories 210 kcal
Total Fat 9 g
Saturated Fat 7 g
Carbohydrates 30 g
Sugar 18 g
Protein 2 g
Fiber 3 g

Serving Suggestions

This cake is wonderfully versatile and pairs well with a variety of accompaniments. Serve it warm with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of coconut whipped cream for a luscious dessert experience.

Fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries add a tart contrast to the rich chocolate.

For celebrations, frost the cake with a vegan cream cheese frosting or a silky chocolate ganache. You can also dust the top with powdered sugar or cocoa powder for a simple, elegant finish.

This cake also makes a fantastic base for layered desserts or trifles.

For a savory-sweet pairing, consider a cup of your favorite plant-based coffee or tea. And if you love experimenting, try this cake alongside our Personalized Recipe Book Stand for an inspired kitchen vibe.

Conclusion

This coconut oil chocolate cake recipe vegan is a must-try for anyone who loves a rich, moist chocolate dessert without the use of animal products. Its simplicity and wholesome ingredients make it accessible for bakers of all levels.

From the silky crumb to the deep chocolate flavor, this cake promises to satisfy your cravings while aligning with your lifestyle choices.

Whether you’re baking for a party, a family dinner, or just a cozy night in, this cake will quickly become a favorite. Remember, with a few tweaks like adding chocolate chips or trying different plant milks, you can tailor it to your taste perfectly.

Happy baking, and don’t forget to explore other delicious recipes like our Bariatric Meatloaf Recipe for more culinary inspiration!

📖 Recipe Card: Coconut Oil Chocolate Cake Vegan

Description: A rich and moist vegan chocolate cake made with coconut oil for extra flavor and tenderness. Perfect for any occasion and easy to prepare.

Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT30M
Total Time: PT45M

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch cake pan.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk almond milk, melted coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract.
  4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
  5. Fold in vegan chocolate chips if using.
  6. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 28-30 minutes.
  7. Check doneness with a toothpick; it should come out clean.
  8. Let cake cool completely before slicing and serving.

Nutrition: Calories: 280 kcal | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 14 g | Carbs: 35 g

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Coconut Oil Chocolate Cake Vegan”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A rich and moist vegan chocolate cake made with coconut oil for extra flavor and tenderness. Perfect for any occasion and easy to prepare.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT30M”, “totalTime”: “PT45M”, “recipeYield”: “8 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour”, “1 cup granulated sugar”, “1/4 cup cocoa powder”, “1 tsp baking soda”, “1/2 tsp salt”, “1 cup almond milk”, “1/3 cup coconut oil, melted”, “1 tbsp apple cider vinegar”, “2 tsp vanilla extract”, “1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips (optional)”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C) and grease a 9-inch cake pan.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a separate bowl, whisk almond milk, melted coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until just combined.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Fold in vegan chocolate chips if using.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 28-30 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Check doneness with a toothpick; it should come out clean.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Let cake cool completely before slicing and serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “280 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “3 g”, “fatContent”: “14 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “35 g”}}

Photo of author

Marta K

Leave a Comment

X